Turn Your Passion Into Profit

Welcome to the Single Largest Dog Daycare Information Repository on the NET!!

 

Welcome to the Single Largest Dog Daycare Information Repository on the NET!!

 

Starting a Dog Daycare, Dog Grooming or Boarding Facility Image

Throughout the pages of this site you will find all of the tools and information necessary to successfully launch a Dog Daycare Business.  Under the section "How To Start a Dog Daycare" you will find  over 150 pages of detailed content covering every imaginable aspect of Starting a Dog Daycare.

We also offer the Paws Profit and Loss Simulator, a custom software application designed specifically to help you plan your business finances and start your dog daycare. Since it's release over two years ago this application has proved itself to be the single most useful financial tool available for anyone desiring to start a dog daycare.

Read More.....

 


 

******** Good News, the Supplemental Series is now in the process of being uploaded and formated for web as of 12/2/2020. It may take a while as over the past few years I have written and additional 160,000 or so words and roughly 200 pages of content saved in book form on my computer. I am working dillegently now to get a minimum of 5 new pages added to the category each day. You may find the latest info in the menu bar on the left under the Supplemental Update Series Tab.  

 

As always enjoy and I hope the latest content proves useful to those interested in entering this wonderful industry. --Richard ********

 

Planning to enter the Dog Daycare Business?

Starting a Dog Daycare can be a very rewarding and profitable endeavour, but it is by no means an easy process or one that you can jump right into without proper planning and research. Businesses that start without the proper planning, might as well plan to fail. At PAWS we provide you with all of the information and knowledge that you need to successfully start a Dog Daycare, and ensure it’s continued success.

 

Understand that it is a business first

Starting a Dog Daycare is not unlike starting any small business; it takes solid research, commitment and knowledge of everyday operations to make it successful.  Of all small business that start up each year in the U.S. 25% will fail within the first year, another 50% fail will within the second year and of the remaining 25%, half will fail before 10 years has elapsed, leaving a dismal 12.5% rate of success. Not a very promising prospect when you are just starting out.  Of all the statistics on small businesses released each year, there are two looming numbers that are of particular importance to those interested in starting a small business: an estimated 145,000 new business start up each year in this country, and about 137,000 businesses declare bankruptcy each year. That’s a ratio of nearly one failure for each startup.


According to Dun & Bradstreet reports, "Businesses with fewer than 20 employees have only a 37% chance of surviving four years and only a 9% chance of surviving 10 years.  Of these failed business, only 10% of them close involuntarily due to bankruptcy and the remaining 90% close because the business was not successful, did not provide the level of income desired or was too much work for their efforts. The old adage, "People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan" certainly holds true when it comes to small business success.

 

PAWS Business Services

At PAWS we provide you with the knowledge, business plans, and other documentation that you need to start successful start a Dog Daycare.  We can also guide you through the entire process of finding a location, selecting a design, managing the build out process, instituting safety procedures, and setting in place customer relations techniques and business management practices that will keep you in business, well past the ten year mark.  In our Dog Daycare Start Up services section, you can download Dog Daycare Guides, Manuals, Complete Business Plans, Design Plans, or sign up for schools and classes in Dog Daycare Facility Operations, Dog Daycare Facility Management, Pack Leadership or the Dog Daycare Masters Course.  PAWS can help you take your idea of opening a Dog Daycare and turn it into a profitable, fun, and rewarding career.

 

What others don't tell you

The first step in turning your dream into reality is doing your research, there are numerous manuals, guides and DVD's that propose to offer all that you need to Start a Dog Daycare, but the fact is that 80% of the information is so generic that it is of little use to those serious about starting a Dog Daycare of their own. These publications also consistently fail to mention all of the real facts that you need to know to be successful, facts that you can only know if you have started a Dog Daycare from nothing but a idea, gone through the process of transforming that idea into reality and operated the successful results day in and day out. The same inside knowledge that only presents itself to those individuals that are directly involved with the every day operations and management of keeping a Dog Daycare facility not only going, but growing. 

 

The PAWS Difference

At PAWS all of the manuals, business plans, guides, lessons and classes are written and delivered by actual facility operators with years of experience in the Dog Daycare, Dog Grooming and Kennel industry. Each  one of our authors has been where you are, just starting out with nothing but a dream, unsure how to actually take the steps to turn that dream into the reality of owning and operating a highly successful and  profitable Dog Daycare.

 

Testimonials:

I am very close to wrapping up my Business Plan and I have read your manual more times than I care to mention and it now looks more like a Rand McNally road map than a manual due to all the highlights and notes Thanks in advance, and thanks for creating such a detailed manual, it was indispensable!! !

Kristin
Owner/Operator of Dog Daze of San Carlost

This is my first business and I started out our canine center with very little knowledge of how to get going. My center is designed entirely on the information I recieved from your manual. We have used the set up and materials you reccomended as best we can based on what is available here in Mexico. Our center has been a smashing success and we are forever grateful to you for your willingness to share your knowledge with the rest of us. I highly reccomend your manual to anyone who is considering opening a daycare, boarding, or retail center. If you are ever in need of a vacation, let us know!! It would be an honor to have you come and see what you have done over here!
Happy Holidays to all of you!
!

Roger (KY)

I will recommend you to anyone who needs to start a dog daycare.  I purchased products from other sites only to find out they where filled with outdated and very generalized information that wasn't very useful. After reviewing your manual and talking on the phone with you I was very pleased and impressed.  I felt that my hard earned money was very well spent.  You are a great value!  Keep up the great work and best of luck in your future endeavors!

Robert A. Nelson
Laughing Dog Inn, Inc. (VA)

"After surfing numerous sites, this is just what I was looking for - quick and definitive answers, a wealth of knowledge and resources, exceptional value, and a friendly, professional staff. I felt very comfortable starting my Dog Daycare Business  with their guidance. I really appreciate all of the help and support. I always feel confident when I recommend PAWS because I know they handle their business properly and quickly"

Jonathan Meliseev - President - Sunny State Pet Resorts LLC

"The attention that we have received from the beginning has been very good, very customized and mainly fast, this is thanks to all the communication. We feel very satisfied with your company, and has covered our expectations regarding to confidence and sense of responsibility. Paws deserves our recommendation"

Antonio Rodríguez, CEO, Wags Corp

Thank you for all your assistance... Yes, I'm very satisfied with the manual and the phone consultation. In fact, I've shared it with my girlfriend who is also a dog lover and may want to start her own pet related company.

Beverly Bethea
Pet Productions, Inc. (NY)

Your rating: None Average: 4.4 (71 votes)

Comments

steve19
steve19's picture
Offline
Joined: 12/12/2019
Posts: 1
Still providing the service?

Are you still in this business? Currently I run a dog grooming blog https://thebestdogclippers.com but thinking to start a dog grooming service in my area if you could help3

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
service?
Still providing the service?
Yes!!!
I recently relocated to Tennessee to enjoy a slower pace and to allow my daughter to grow up in a more wholesome enviroment. The brick and mortar daily operations were handed off and I have concentrated exclusively on consulation and the website. There have been a few hosting issues over the last month or so that has brought the site on and offline in regards to server upgrades breaking lines of code, but I'm getting all that sorted. I do apologize that your message got dropped to spam. You would not believe the volumous amount of spam and links to adult content that robots try and put on the site. Accordingly the filters are set pretty tight in regards to what can be posted as the Search Engines penalize heavily if the spider the site and see a number of links to adult content placed by spammers...
Richard
Aaron
Aaron's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/15/2015
Posts:
Dog Daycare Start-Up

Hello there!
My wife and I are in the process of putting everything together to open a dog daycare w/ boarding and grooming. We have done massive amounts of research already and are preparing all of it now. Your site appears to have the necessary tools to assist us in putting all of our research together, and then some. The question we are asking is whether we are fooling ourselves into thinking we can make this a reality w/ no capital? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
No capital

 The question we are asking is whether we are fooling ourselves into thinking we can make this a reality w/ no capital? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

I would suppose that the answer to this goes back to the addage of "it takes money to make money". That said nothing is impossible, you're just going to have to figure out how to think outside the box, start small and scale up as clientel and income increase.

In my case specifically, I purchased a commercial building. However, that does not mean that I laid out X hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete that purchase. I had a meager savings and the rest of was loan. I was able to get a loan with essentially no downpayment as the building already had occupants, that paid rent. 

I bought the building and began to build this business in a 1000 sq/ft storage warehouse that was located inside the rear of the building. Over time as I gained more clients and needed more space I would simple not renew a lease, get rid of that tenant and take over their space and use it for my own needs. The end result was that over the course of a few years I went from that little space in the rear of the building to utilizing every square foot of the 8000 sq/ft building and needing more.

Apply this to your situation. If yo have "no capital", then groom from home, or watch dogs at your house (this is not legal in some areas) or start a dog walking business etc. Use the income you make to create some savings to upgrade from there. Then rent a small space somewhere, then buy a place, etc. wash rinse repeat..

Nothing is impossible, just some things are more difficult than others...

 

DavidW
DavidW's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/15/2015
Posts:
start up

Sir/Ma'am

A co-worker and I are looking into starting a doggy day care/boarding/grooming and training center in AR. We are both currently serving in the USAF and have 10+ years experience working with and training Working Dogs. I came across your site while doing some research and wanted to know which off site package you would recommend? Right now I'm just trying to get as much information as I can on zoning, licensing and financing for my area. With the information I currently have and the ideas I have for our business I'm pretty sure I want to build a new facility. My biggest concern with purchasing an already constructed building is the renovations that would need to be made to transition the facility into a day care/boarding facility.

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
There are a great many facets

There are a great many facets to your post. First off thank you for your service. I was Marine EOD myself. I was stationed on a few AF bases as an augment on TAD for AF EOD and let me say you guys got it nice.

Moving on. Purchasing a building is what I did, you just have to make sure that you examine the building and look at its "bones" so to speak and see if it will allow you to do what you want.

Where are load bearing walls, where is the service panel, where is the HVAC, the plumbing, bathrooms etc. Remember aside from oddly placed load bearing walls in some structures a building is nothing more than 4 walls and a roof. In many cases what looks crowded an not usuable is just framed interior walls that can be torn down and removed with little effort. 

If your handy it makes it that much easier. I know at my location if FL. the county had a owner/build permit where you could to the work yourself, get the inspections and eventually a CO with no contractors needed. 

 

Jen Wilson
Jen Wilson's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/01/2015
Posts: -1
Start-up

Hi! We've downloaded your dog daycare start up manual and are just beginning to explore the possibility of opening one of our own. We have access to a building that would be perfect for a daycare. However, we are concerned about how to assure/confirm complete safety for the dogs - as it is currently considered a "brownfield" property. The building housed a pest control company and pesticides have been found in the soil. Given the fact that we are planning to pour new concrete with astro turf over the contaminated area, do you think there would be a problem establishing that there would be absolutely no health risks to the dogs at this location?

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
Start-Up

I can't really put myself out on a limb here and say "there would be absolutely no health risks to the dogs at this location". What I can say is property value is typically determined by attributes and faults, thus this property may be attractively priced due to the pesticide fault. 

Can the risks be mitigated? I'm sure, you could problably have a Dozer operator with something as small as a Cat D4 come in and push the top 18 inches into a pile and have it hauled off and new clean fill dirt brought in. Then pave and turf over and I would "ASSUME" that would mitigate the issues with pesticide in the soil. Not sure where it could be hauled to. 

Additionally pretty much everything with the exception of some termite pesticides used in the 80's has a relatively short half life and will break down over time. There was one toxin, I can't think of now (my dad worked at ORKIN) that lasted 30 years and was removed from use because of that fact. 

I would personally be more concerned about the long term health risks to myself, my staff, possible ground water polution etc. Its a tough situation and one that you will have to way the pros and cons of. 

stefflas
stefflas's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/20/2015
Posts:
Location?

Hi....where would I find help with choosing a location? I am in the Minneapolis (Twin Cities) area and have been told by one Day Care owner that I should NOT open one as "the market is saturated". I find this hard to believe as the dog day cares I bring my dog to (I use multiple) are constantly booked up (can't get an appointment unless booked days in advance). I guess I'm wondering if you have any advise on how to research potential geographic areas to determine where the need is? Thanks in advance!! Your site is very helpful!

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
Location

Saturation is a very subjective determination. What should be the determining factor is a cost analysis and demographic data. If every daycare in your area is booked up then there is most likely room for another, but at a point saturation can surely occur. What I would suggest if you are looking to open in an area with a lot of existing DDC facilities is to find a way to set yourself apart and offer services that they do not have. Also consider rent, costs, zoning etc. 

MelKLa
MelKLa's picture
Offline
Joined: 04/03/2014
Posts: -1
Recycled Tire/Rubber Mulch

I am looking at a facility that has a large out door play area, this area is completely covered with recycled tire/rubber type mulch. I am finding conflicting stories as to its safe factor for animals. Any ideas or input on this topic.

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
re: rubber

What safety concerns are you having?

Drew (not verified)
Drew's picture
Hello, Thinking of opening a

Hello,

Thinking of opening a Doggy day care/ grooming business here in Pittsburgh Pa

Came across your website and it looks like you have a lot to offer.

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
Re: Hello, thinking of opening a

Thank You, I try and keep the information both current and informative.

sharon (not verified)
Drew's picture
how to start dog day care business

my cousin and I have been talking about starting a business together here in california (central). we decided on doggie day care because we are both dog lovers to the max. we know this will be challenging but we also pray it will be rewarding. any information you may have will be greatly appreciated as neither one of us has opened a business of our own before. i felt comfortable reading your information on your web site, which i dont actually feel very often. thank you, i look forward to hearing from you

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
re: how to start a dog daycare business

Thanks for the post, however, I'm not exactly sure what it is that your asking. The post is pretty open ended and does not really ask a question. As a generallity I can say that the information you find here in regards to how to determine your demographics, set prices etc. will work regardless of the area. Do your research, and understand that you are not opening a business so you can play with dogs all day, you are opening a business so you profit from providing an excellent service to you clients. If you have specific questions about different aspects of the business you can always post a topic in the forum. I check the site everyday and am trying to get a bit more of a community going. Additionally, questions asked of me and answered in the forum may help others with similiar questions. Thanks.

 

Linda Lou (not verified)
Drew's picture
Start up

What is a reasonable estimate of start up time from ground breaking to grand opening? I realize this is dependent upon weather and other factors but would like to have an estimate in my plan.

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
Re: Start up

That is a very open ended question and to be honest can be as short as a few months or take as long as a year. It is not going to depend so much on weather as it will on finances, what type of build out you are completing, permiting time, construction schedules etc. The more complex the process the longer it is going to take. For example if you are simply going into a strip mall and doing a quick interior remodel then it could be done (in most cases) with permitting in a few months. If you are building a facility from the ground up (construction the building, grounds, etc) then it could take a year or more. Hope this helps.

Drew Taylort (not verified)
Drew's picture
Dog daycare & exerciseo

I live in Western Montana. I am excited to find this information to help me.

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
No problem, I'm glad you

No problem, I'm glad you found the information useful..If you have any questions feel free to post them in the forum.

Thomas Will (not verified)
Drew's picture
Adding doggie day care to an existing dog kennel operation

I am considering purchasing a kennel operation operating successfully and offering boarding, training, and grooming services. The operation has 13.1 acres of land all beautifully landscaped and well maintained. there are several large grassy fields currently used for training and play. It has a 4000 square foot indoor indoor training facility that could also be used for day care. What services and advice can you provide me and what would your service or advice cost?

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
Re: Adding doggie day care to an existing dog kennel operation

Much of what we can offer you is going to depend on how much pet industry experience you currently have. Services range from simple phone and email consultations, whereas you can call or email questions regarding design and operation to us and we will answer them to full out on site design and operations training. As each situation is unique and there are a great many variables from one operation and individual to the next there is no way to quote a "flat price" without knowing the details of what and who we are currently working with and what the end goal is expected to be.

verolopu
verolopu's picture
Offline
Joined: 11/30/2012
Posts:
Doggy day care in Lima-Peru-South America

I'm planning to start a doggie day care in Lima-Peru. It would be the firt one in here. I would like to know witch packege do you recommended for thise case.

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
While I would like to be able

While I would like to be able to point you to a specific package and say this is all you are going to need, that is not necessarily possible. What your are going to need in terms of preparation/documentation to start a dog daycare in your location is going to depend on the demographics of the area ie. how do Peruvians feel about dogs? Are they members of the family or just outside creatures?, What is the median income of your area? Can people in your area afford to pay for the service you wish to provide? and if they can, can they pay enough to make it profitable for you? What are the costs associated with renting or owning property in your area? These are all questions you need to answer before throwing money at any one package or supposed cure all. As business is business, whether it be an ice cream stand or a dog daycare, the principles are the same.. supply and demand. If dog daycare is a service that could or is in demand in your area then it may be a good idea to look into.. If it is something the "you" want to do because you love animals, regardless of what the over whelming societal view of dogs in your area, then it may not be a good idea. I would start by reading the how to start a dog daycare manual from front to back.. You can read it online for free, or you can purchase and download a copy for your own use.

If you are sincere in your desire to get started then go to the forum section and make a few posts and I will be glad to answer as many basic questions for you as I can.

verolopu
verolopu's picture
Offline
Joined: 11/30/2012
Posts:
Doggy day care in Lima-Peru-South America

Actually the economic situation is good and getting better in the last years. The economy of Peru is classified as upper middle income by the World Bank and is the 42nd largest in the world. Peru is, as of 2011, one of the world's fastest-growing economies owing to the economic boom experienced during the 2000s.
I´m a vet and I´ve worked in a few big clinics so i´m aware of people spending a lot of money in their pets. Many of them see them as their children. There is a big industry of food, accsesories, grooming services, etc.
Usually the vet clinics have the dog in litlle cages and the owners always complain about it. There´s a "kinder dog" outside the city in witch dogs have obidience or agility clases. And anotherone also outside the city in witch the dogs can overnight and stay there for several days.
I want to open a dog daycare, boarding, grooming, veterinary clinic place in the city. But I want to start small and then add the other stuff. I want to start with the dog daycare first because it would make the difference for all the other business around here.
I´m sure Lima is good place for this business. Please I would like to learn all about it before I start spending money. I´m planning to open it in about six months.
Me and my boyfriend (both vets) don´t have much money, So we want to do this right from the begining.

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
Do you already have space?

Do you already have space? and starting small is good.. I would start by checking out the manual and understanding the principles that are discussed in there. Since you are a vet you already have a leg up on most of the others that wish to enter this industry.. Give me some specifics and I'll help out as best I can.. --->RESPOND HERE<---

ROBERT (not verified)
Drew's picture
doggy day care information

I WOULD LIDE TO START UP MY OWN DOGGY DAYCARE AND I NEED ALL THE INFORMATION I CAN GET TO HELP ME WITH THAT

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
doggy day care informaiton

Not a problem, we offer a variety of services to help get you started. If you would like you can use the contact us form to email us directly and we can discuss what options would work best for you. Additionally, there is a wealth of information available on this site that cover both our successes and failures to help you avoid some of the common pitfalls to just starting out -----Richard,

hlague30
hlague30's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/14/2018
Posts:
Reviews and neutral testimonials.

Good afternoon,

I am interested in your consultation services for starting a pet daycare business, however, I am not able to find any information regarding your business. Where can I go for unbiased confirmation of your success and commitment to those starting up and successfully running a daycare?

Thank you,
Henry

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
Reviews and neutral testimonials

I could certainly send you my CV which includes a list of those that I have worked with and their contact info.. Easy stuff.

Terrivgn
Terrivgn's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/23/2013
Posts: -1
Looking at taking over an existing Doggie Daycare facility

I am looking at buying and taking over an existing doggie daycare business.
This business was once thriving but due to health issues of the owners they have let the business go and it is a bit out dated. There is a lot of potential, but I myself have no running a business background and have no dog care certification of any kind. What programs that you offer would be the best for me to look into, I do already have the Start up manual.The only experience I have is my own houseful of dogs and cats and love.

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
Looking at taking over an existing Doggie Daycare facility

In this instance I would suggest looking at hires that have experience in the pet industry Vet Techs, Kennel Hands, Groomers, Bathers etc. Its not an exceptionally difficult business to operate and the learning curve is rather steep. This is amplified by the fact that there are typically penalties associated with making a wrong decision such as getting bit, or dogs getting in fights or the injury or death of a dog. Do research, do plenty of reading and understand that in a large group setting the way the interact is completely different that how your pets interact with you.. 

victoria-lp
victoria-lp's picture
Offline
Joined: 02/16/2015
Posts:
Waste Disposal

We are looking at attending your course later this year. I did have one question for you as we are drawing up our business plans. If you had a choice, what would you do with the dog waste? The facility is not built yet and our location is on its own septic tank (not city sewer). We have not checked with our county requirements yet but thought we'd ask you first. Thank you for your time.

Bandit
Bandit's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/03/2008
Posts: 260
Waste Disposal

This is much easier to handle than you think. The urine can be hosed off or mopped up and dumped in a deep sink or toilet. The solid waste is typically bagged with poopbags.. you can get them from poopbags dot com for 1 penny a piece or something in that range. Those bags are then placed in a 45 gallon black plastic contractor bag and that is tied off every couple days and just disposed of with the rest of the trash that is collected at the front of the business by waste management

Rate this product